The metabolic profile of Asinara (albino) and Sardo donkeys (pigmented) (Equus asinus L., 1758) points to unequivocal breed assignment of individuals.
Abstract: This study pointed to explore if variations in circulating levels of metabolites in the blood stream of no. 25 feral donkeys occur in view of the different coat color between specimens of Asinara (albino, no. 8) vs. Sardo (dun-grey, no. 17) breed. All individuals involved in this investigation are living in the nature, at Mediterranean latitudes and roam in the same areas all over the National Park of Capo Caccia, where they feed on spontaneous vegetation sources. The study was conducted during the positive photoperiod of the boreal hemisphere (peak in the month of June, 2019) to maximize the effect of exposure to the natural sun radiation and thus elicit the coping ability of albino (Asinara) in comparison with pigmented donkeys (Sardo). The biochemical profile of all donkeys was used in a Discriminant Analysis (DA) to explore if circulating levels of metabolites could point to metabolic markers for breed assignment of individuals following a canonical discriminant analysis (CANDISC). The biochemical investigation included also the determination of the circulating Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol, α-TOH), as an essential biologically active compound involved in antioxidant mechanisms, and its respective status (circulating α-TOH to total triglycerides and total cholesterol ratio). In the CANDISC, the distance between the two breeds was not significant. However, it pointed to different metabolites (UREA, total protein, total triglycerides, Zn) capable of describing biochemical patterns on each respective breed (Asinara vs. Sardo). The multivariate analysis DA carried out using 22 metabolites correctly assigned individuals to the two breeds in the 100% of cases. In view of such metabolic background, circulating α-TOH found in the bloodstream of Asinara vs. Sardo donkeys under free grazing conditions turned out to reach similar values (2.114 vs. 1.872 µg/ml, respectively, = 0.676). It is worth noting that significant differences were observed as to circulating lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, = 0.022) levels, in association with increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK, = 0.076), both above the upper limit of the physiological range reported in other donkey breeds, and found in the totality of Asinara (albino) donkeys solely, still apparently clinically healthy.
© 2020 Cappai et al.
Publication Date: 2020-07-08 PubMed ID: 32714654PubMed Central: PMC7353909DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9297Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research attempts to find a distinct metabolic marker in Asinara (albino) and Sardo (pigmented) donkeys by evaluating circulated metabolic levels. It utilizes their biochemical profiles to identify unique traits that can categorize the donkeys into their respective breeds. However, differences in these markers were not greatly significant, yet a set of certain metabolites portrayed distinctive biochemical patterns in both breeds. The research also notably identified elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase in Asinara donkeys.
Context and Objective of the Research
- This study aims to determine if variations in circulating metabolite levels amongst 25 wild donkeys can be attributed to their different coat colors, specifically between the Asinara (albino, 8 individuals) and Sardo (dun-grey, 17 individuals) breeds.
- The donkeys involved in the study all live in the same national park and feed on the same vegetation sources.
- The timing of the research was also a significant factor, with the study taking place during peak sunlight exposure to capitalize on any differences in photon absorption between the albino and pigmented donkeys.
Methodology and Approach
- The study utilizes Discriminant Analysis (DA) to explore if circulating levels of metabolites could potentially be reliable markers for classifying individuals into their respective breeds.
- The research also involved the determination of circulating Vitamin E and its status to study its role in antioxidant mechanisms.
- A Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CANDISC) was deployed to determine the significance of the distance between the breeds, and identify metabolites that help to distinguish the two.
Findings of the Research
- The CANDISC did not find a significant difference between the two breeds. However, it pointed out various metabolite parameters that depicted unique biochemical patterns for each breed.
- The multivariate DA using 22 metabolites correctly classified individuals to the two breeds in all instances.
- The circulating alpha tocopherol (α-TOH) found in both breeds exhibited similar values.
- Significant differences were observed in the circulating lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, associated with increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK), they were found over the physiological range in Asinara donkeys. But yet, they appeared clinically healthy.
Cite This Article
APA
Cappai MG, Dimauro C, Biggio GP, Cherchi R, Accioni F, Pudda F, Boatto G, Pinna W.
(2020).
The metabolic profile of Asinara (albino) and Sardo donkeys (pigmented) (Equus asinus L., 1758) points to unequivocal breed assignment of individuals.
PeerJ, 8, e9297.
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9297 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Research Unit for Animal Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy, Italy.
- Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
- Department of Research and Development of Equine Production, AGRIS of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Research and Development of Equine Production, AGRIS of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
- FORESTAS, Centro di recupero della Fauna Selvatica di Bonassai, Bonassai Olmedo, Italy.
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
- Research Unit for Animal Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy, Italy.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
References
This article includes 53 references
- Aboling S, Drotleff AM, Cappai MG, Kamphues J. Contamination with ergot bodies (Claviceps purpurea sensu lato) of two horse pastures in Northern Germany.. Mycotoxin Res 2016 Nov;32(4):207-219.
- Association of Italian Breeders (Associazione Italiana Allevatori, AIA) Association of Italian Breeders. 2016. http://www.anagrafeequidi.it/menu.php http://www.anagrafeequidi.it/menu.php
- Bana B, Endebu B, Jenberie S, Negussie H. Determination of reference physiological values for working donkeys of Ethiopia. Veterinary Research 2011;4(3):90–94.
- Barrio E, Rickards KJ, Thiemann AK. Clinical Evaluation and Preventative Care in Donkeys.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2019 Dec;35(3):545-560.
- Biesalski H, Greiff H, Brodda K, Hafner G, Bässler KH. Rapid determination of vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in human serum by isocratic adsorption HPLC.. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1986;56(4):319-27.
- Blythe LL, Craig AM. Equine degenerative myelencephalopathy: part I—clinical signs and pathogenesis. Compendium of Continuing Education for Practicing Veterinarians 1992;14:1215–1221.
- Burden FA, Hazell-Smith E, Mulugeta G, Partick V, Trawford R, Brooks Brownlie HW. Reference intervals for biochemical and haematological parameters in mature domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in the UK. Equine Veterinary Education 2016;28(3):134–139.
- Caldin M, Furlanello T, Solano-Gallego L, De Lorenzi CE, Tasca DS, Lubas G. Reference ranges for haematology, biochemical profile and electrophoresis in a single herd of Ragusana donkeys in Sicily. Comparative Clinical Pathology 2005;14(1):5–12.
- Cappai MG, Lunesu MG, Accioni F, Liscia M, Pusceddu M, Burrai L, Nieddu M, Dimauro C, Boatto G, Pinna W. Blood serum retinol levels in Asinara white donkeys reflect albinism-induced metabolic adaptation to photoperiod at Mediterranean latitudes.. Ecol Evol 2017 Jan;7(1):390-398.
- Cappai MG, Picciau M, Nieddu G, Sogos I, Cherchi R, Pinna W. Cutaneous metabolic pathway of tyrosine as a precursor to melanin in Asinara white donkey, Equus asinus L., 1758. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2015;14:502–507.
- Cappai MG, Picciau M, Pinna W. An integrated approach towards the nutritional assessment of the Sardinian donkey: a tool for the clinical nutritionist. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2013;12(2):e29.
- Cetti F. I Quadrupedi di Sardegna. Sassari: Giuseppe Piattoli; 1774.
- Chiofalo B, Polidori M, Costa R, Salimei E. Fresh forage in dairy ass’s ration: effect on milk fatty acid composition and flavours. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2005;4(Suppl. 2):433–435.
- Cosseddu GM, Fraghi A, Mura L, Carta A, Cherchi R, Pau S. Genetic relationships among donkey populations living in Sardinia: an analysis using molecular markers. Ippologia 2001;12:25–33.
- Cummings JF, de Lahunta A, George C, Fuhrer L, Valentine BA, Cooper BJ, Summers BA, Huxtable CR, Mohammed HO. Equine motor neuron disease; a preliminary report.. Cornell Vet 1990 Oct;80(4):357-79.
- Da Silva GB, Da Silva CJF, De Souza LA, Hunka MM, Ferreira L, Manso H, Manzo Filho H. Hematological and blood chemistry values of donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) in different management systems. Pferdeheilkunde Equine Medicine 2018;34(3):253–259.
- De Palo P, Maggiolino A, Albenzio M, Casalino E, Neglia G, Centoducati G, Tateo A. Survey of biochemical and oxidative profile in donkey foals suckled with one natural and one semi-artificial technique.. PLoS One 2018;13(6):e0198774.
- DellaPenna D, Pogson BJ. Vitamin synthesis in plants: tocopherols and carotenoids.. Annu Rev Plant Biol 2006;57:711-38.
- Divers TJ, Mohammed HO, Hintz HF, De Lahunta A. Equine motor neuron disease: a new cause of weakness, trembling, and weight loss. Compendium of Continuing Education for Practicing Veterinarians 1992;14:1222–1226.
- Finno CJ, Miller AD, Sisó S, Divers T, Gianino G, Barro MV, Valberg SJ. Concurrent Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy and Equine Motor Neuron Disease in Three Young Horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1344-50.
- Finno CJ, Valberg SJ. A comparative review of vitamin E and associated equine disorders.. J Vet Intern Med 2012 Nov-Dec;26(6):1251-66.
- Folch P, Jordana J, Cuenca R. Reference ranges and the influence of age and sex on haematological values of the endangered Catalonian donkey.. Vet J 1997 Sep;154(2):163-8.
- French JM, Patrick VH. Reference values for physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters in domestic donkeys (Equus asinus). Equine Veterinary Education 1995;7(1):33–35.
- Ganière-Monteil C, Kergueris MF, Pineau A, Blanchard B, Azoulay C, Larousse C. [Determination of plasma retinol and alpha-tocopherol by HPLC].. Ann Biol Clin (Paris) 1994;52(7-8):547-53.
- Gershkovich P, Ibrahim F, Sivak O, Darlington JW, Wasan KM. A simple and sensitive method for determination of vitamins D3 and K1 in rat plasma: application for an in vivo pharmacokinetic study.. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2014 Mar;40(3):338-44.
- Girardi AM, Marques LC, Pereira de Toledo CZ, Barbosa JC, Maldonando W, Jr, Nigib Jorge RL, Da Silva Nogueira CA. Biochemical profile of Péga donkeys (Equus asinus) breed: influence of sex, age and management practice. Veterinary Research Science 2013;64:7–10.
- Gloria A, Veronesi MC, Carluccio R, Parrillo S, De Amicis I, Contri A. Biochemical blood analysis along pregnancy in Martina Franca jennies.. Theriogenology 2018 Jul 15;115:84-89.
- Grønskov K, Ek J, Brondum-Nielsen K. Oculocutaneous albinism.. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2007 Nov 2;2:43.
- Hahn C, Mayhew IG, Shepherd M. Equine motor neuron disease.. Vet Rec 1993 Feb 13;132(7):172.
- Kuwamura M, Iwaki M, Yamate J, Kotani T, Sakuma S, Yamashita A. The first case of equine motor neuron disease in Japan.. J Vet Med Sci 1994 Feb;56(1):195-7.
- Landolt G, Feige K, Grest P. [Equine motor neuron disease (EMND). A case report].. Tierarztl Prax 1997 May;25(3):241-3.
- Laus F, Spaterna A, Faillace V, Paggi E, Serri E, Vullo C, Cerquetella M, Tesei B. Reference values for hematological and biochemical patameters of mixed breed donkeys (Equus asinus). Wulfenia Journal 2015;22(1):295–304.
- Levent A, Oto G, Ekin S, Berber I. Method validation and simultaneous determination of retinol, retinyl palmitate, β-carotene, α-tocopherol and vitamin C in rat serum treated with 7,12 dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and Plantago major L. by high- performance liquid chromatography using diode-array detection.. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2013 Feb;16(2):142-9.
- Milne DB, Botnen J. Retinol, alpha-tocopherol, lycopene, and alpha- and beta-carotene simultaneously determined in plasma by isocratic liquid chromatography.. Clin Chem 1986 May;32(5):874-6.
- Mori E, Fernandes WR, Mirandola RMS, Kubo G, Ferreira RR, Oliveira JV, Gacek F. Reference values on serum biochemical parameters of Brazilian donkey (Equus asinus) breed. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2003;23(8):356–364.
- Mustacich DJ, Bruno RS, Traber MG. Vitamin E.. Vitam Horm 2007;76:1-21.
- Oetting WS. The tyrosinase gene and oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1): A model for understanding the molecular biology of melanin formation.. Pigment Cell Res 2000 Oct;13(5):320-5.
- Oetting WS, Brilliant MH, King RA. The clinical spectrum of albinism in humans.. Mol Med Today 1996 Aug;2(8):330-5.
- Official Gazzette of the Italian Republic . Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana no. 239 del 13 ottobre 1997, Legge no. 334 dell’8 ottobre 199. Rome: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato; 1997.
- Official Gazzette of the Italian Republic . Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana no. 298 del 20/12/2002, D.P.R. 03.10.02. Rome: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato; 2002.
- Okulicz JF, Shah RS, Schwartz RA, Janniger CK. Oculocutaneous albinism.. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2003 May;17(3):251-6.
- Pinna W, Cosseddu GM, Moniello G, Zimdars C. L’asinello bianco dell’Asinara: una razza antica o recente di Equus asinus?. In: Poliedro, editor. L’isola dell’Asinara: l’ambiente, la storia, il parco. Sassari: European Union; 1998. pp. 38–42.
- Potterf SB, Furumura M, Sviderskaya EV, Santis C, Bennett DC, Hearing VJ. Normal tyrosine transport and abnormal tyrosinase routing in pink-eyed dilution melanocytes.. Exp Cell Res 1998 Oct 10;244(1):319-26.
- Prado-Martinez J, Hernando-Herraez I, Lorente-Galdos B, Dabad M, Ramirez O, Baeza-Delgado C, Morcillo-Suarez C, Alkan C, Hormozdiari F, Raineri E, Estellé J, Fernandez-Callejo M, Valles M, Ritscher L, Schöneberg T, de la Calle-Mustienes E, Casillas S, Rubio-Acero R, Melé M, Engelken J, Caceres M, Gomez-Skarmeta JL, Gut M, Bertranpetit J, Gut IG, Abello T, Eichler EE, Mingarro I, Lalueza-Fox C, Navarro A, Marques-Bonet T. The genome sequencing of an albino Western lowland gorilla reveals inbreeding in the wild.. BMC Genomics 2013 May 31;14:363.
- Santos JB, Franco MM, Antunes RC, Guimarães EC, Mundim AV. Serum biochemical profile of Pêga breed donkeys in the state of Minas Gerais. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 2018;38(6):1225–1231.
- Sattler SE, Cahoon EB, Coughlan SJ, DellaPenna D. Characterization of tocopherol cyclases from higher plants and cyanobacteria. Evolutionary implications for tocopherol synthesis and function.. Plant Physiol 2003 Aug;132(4):2184-95.
- Sponenberg P, Bellone R. Equine colour genetics. Fouth Edition. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons Publisher; 2017.
- Sustronck B, Deprez P, Muylle E, Roels S, Thoonen H. Equine motor neuron disease: the first confirmed cases in Europe. Vlaams Diergeneesk Tijdschr 1993;62:40–44.
- Utzeri VJ, Bertolini F, Ribani A, Schiavo G, Dall'Olio S, Fontanesi L. The albinism of the feral Asinara white donkeys (Equus asinus) is determined by a missense mutation in a highly conserved position of the tyrosinase (TYR) gene deduced protein.. Anim Genet 2016 Feb;47(1):120-4.
- Valle E, Pozzo L, Giribaldi M, Bergero D, Gennero MS, Dezzutto D, McLean A, Borreani G, Coppa M, Cavallarin L. Effect of farming system on donkey milk composition.. J Sci Food Agric 2018 May;98(7):2801-2808.
- Valle E, Raspa F, Giribaldi M, Barbero R, Bergagna S, Antoniazzi S, Mc Lean AK, Minero M, Cavallarin L. A functional approach to the body condition assessment of lactating donkeys as a tool for welfare evaluation.. PeerJ 2017;5:e3001.
- Witkop CJ Jr. Albinism.. Adv Hum Genet 1971;2:61-142.
- Zinkl JG, Mae D, Guzman Merida P, Farver TB, Humble JA. Reference ranges and the influence of age and sex on hematologic and serum biochemical values in donkeys (Equus asinus).. Am J Vet Res 1990 Mar;51(3):408-13.
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Cappai MG, Wolf P, Liesegang A, Biggio GP, Podda A, Varcasia A, Tamponi C, Berlinguer F, Cossu I, Pinna W, Cherchi R. Shift in Circulating Serum Protein Fraction (SPF) Levels of Pregnant Jennies and Nutritional Related Aspects at Early-, Mid- and Late Gestation. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 9;11(9).
- Berlinguer F, Ahmed F, Tamponi C, Carta S, Scala A, Cappai MG, Varcasia A. Help from the sky: Can vultures contribute to Cystic Echinococcosis control in endemic areas?. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 Jul;15(7):e0009615.
- Cappai MG, Taras A, Cossu I, Cherchi R, Dimauro C, Accioni F, Boatto G, Deroma M, Spanu E, Gatta D, Dall'Aglio C, Pinna W. Effects of Dietary Zn/Se and α-Tocopherol Supplementation on Metabolic Milieu, Haemogram and Semen Traits of Breeding Stallions. Biol Trace Elem Res 2021 Sep;199(9):3287-3296.
- Wolf P, Cappai MG. Response of Fattening Rabbits with Acorns (Quercus pubescens Willd.) Combined in the Diet: First Acquaintances on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Perirenal Fatty Acid Profile. Animals (Basel) 2020 Aug 11;10(8).
- Pérez-Polo S, Mena AR, Barros L, Borrajo P, Pazos M, Carrera M, Gestal C. Decoding Octopus Skin Mucus: Impact of Aquarium-Maintenance and Senescence on the Proteome Profile of the Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris). Int J Mol Sci 2024 Sep 15;25(18).
- Cappai MG, Senes A, Pilo G. Albinism and Blood Cell Profile: The Peculiar Case of Asinara Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 11;14(18).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists